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Ask Questions to Improve Your Leadership

This is a guest post by friend, executive and mentor Bruce Rhoades, who retired after having run several companies. He often helps me with strategy. I am delighted that he is a regular contributor. Follow him on Twitter.

Leadership is Not About Knowing All the Answers

Leadership is not about knowing all the answers—it is about leading others to do their best to accomplish goals, solve problems and grow. How many times have you seen a “leader” arrive at the wrong conclusion or take misguided action because they did not know all the facts? How many times have you been frustrated because you were not asked to provide your opinion, perspective or experience?

When leaders do not take time to formulate and ask appropriate questions, the whole organization suffers—people do not contribute their best; they do not grow, and the organization often takes sub-optimal or wrong action. Likewise, leaders that do not ask purposeful questions can demoralize the organization, gradually turn associates into non-thinking “yes people” and risk looking foolish or arrogant.

A leader’s effectiveness can be greatly improved by using insightful questions. Here is how.

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“Leaders who do not ask purposeful questions can demoralize the organization.” -Bruce Rhoades

Guidelines for Using Questions

For many in leadership, asking questions does not come naturally; however, it is a skill that can easily be learned and used effectively. There are a few things to keep in mind to use questions productively:

Catch yourself before making a statement. Instead, ask yourself what question you could ask to leverage the knowledge of others.

Change your perspective. Assume you know little about the topic and need others to provide the information.

Listen and dig deeper. Ask follow-up questions to get more information, clarify meaning and get to real issues.

Ask open-ended questions. Do not ask “yes” or “no” questions unless that is the answer you want.

Give up a bit of control. Allowing others to respond to questions may cause some “wondering” on a topic, but it is often useful in getting to real issues.

Don’t get defensive. If the direction your question takes is not the one you anticipated, suspend judgment and remain influenceable.

Use the “rule of threes.” It is helpful to ask for three options, alternatives, actions, etc. That way people do not feel they have to have the single, “right” response.

Get comfortable with silence. If you ask a question, do not be the next person to speak. If there is silence in a discussion, others will begin to participate.

Never underestimate the effect of a well-timed silence. Sometimes the best thing to do is not to ask a question, but let others take the lead.

Allow feelings to be expressed. Many times there are interpersonal issues that inhibit business actions and decisions. Use questions to discover them. Simply ask, “Is it just me, or is there something else that is going on here.” Or ask, “Am I the only one that feels like…”

Do not conduct an inquisition. Questions should be part of a discussion and used to facilitate, not used in an interrogative fashion.

Questions are not a substitute for making decisions, setting direction and taking action.

Final Thoughts

Asking questions not only makes leaders more effective but it also makes leadership easier! In my experience with interim assignments in different organizations, it was impossible to know all the answers or even all the facts. By asking pertinent questions, not only were others empowered and allowed to shine, but decisions and actions were implemented efficiently by the organization since several in the organization helped formulate them.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Also, some of the links in the post above may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”